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Chartres, France is a small town about 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Paris best known for the Chartres Cathedral, a stunning Gothic cathedral built between 1193 and 1250. It is a pleasant and easy day trip from Paris and the cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is something everyone should see in their lifetime.
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Until you actually visit Chartres Cathedral, you can’t really appreciate the majesty and the history of this magnificent architectural feat. The best way to learn more about the cathedral – its history as an important stop on pilgrimage routes since the middle ages, the significance of its architectural elements, and the grandeur of its stained glass windows – is to take a tour by resident expert, Malcolm Miller. He has been studying Chartres Cathedral and guiding tours for over fifty years (and as of this writing he is still going strong at 79!). Every day except Sunday from April to October, he leads two tours a day. Make sure you arrive early to secure your place – this is a tour that is not to be missed!
Also look for the famous labryinth on the floor of the cathedral – it is open for walking on Fridays. The pilgrims did it on their knees. If you are visiting other days there is another lovely labryinth in the garden behind the cathedral.
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In addition to visiting the famous cathedral, there are many other interesting things to do in Chartres. There are several museums in town, including:
Musée des Beaux-Arts, a fine arts museum
Le Grenier de l’Histoire Musée, a history museum specializing in military uniforms and accoutrements
Le Centre International du Vitrail, a workshop-museum and cultural center devoted to the art of stained glass
Muséum de Sciences Naturelles et de la Préhistoire, a Natural Science and Prehistory Museum
Conservatoire du Machinisme et des Pratiques Agricoles, an agricultural museum
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One of the more unusual sites in Chartres is La Maison Picassiette, a house decorated inside and out with mosaics of chards of broken china and pottery.
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Wander along the charming streets in Old Town Chartres and you will feel as though you have traveled back to the middle ages with its half-timbered houses and sidewalks lit by lanterns suspended on chains.
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Chartres is an important market town in the region – if you are visiting on a Wednesday or a Saturday, visit the market at Place Billard. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, there is a flower market at Place du Cygne. Additionally, there are charming small shops throughout town.
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Adjacent to the cathedral are two restaurants with lovely outdoor seating overlooking the cathedral, Le Serpente and Le Parvais. You can’t go wrong with either one and the view can’t be beat. Or, pick up the makings for a picnic to enjoy in one of gardens or along the river.
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From April to September, plan to catch the last train back to Paris (or stay overnight) so you can experience Chartres en Lumière – a daily light show where the cathedral and other major buildings are illuminated each evening after dark.
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Things to remember:
Trains run daily from Gare Montparnasse. Tickets are approximately 23 euros round trip.
To contact Malcom Miller to arrange private tours or to confirm dates for tours, email him at millerchartres@aol.com. His tours are at 12:00 and 2:45 and are limited to twelve participants. The price of the tour is 10 euros per person.
Many stores and restaurants are closed on Monday, but the cathedral is open. Admission to the cathedral is free but there is a small charge to climb the North tower if it is open.
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I hope you enjoyed learning more about Chartres…Be sure to stop by again on Monday when we will be taking another interesting day trip from Paris. Have a beautiful May weekend, wherever you may be wandering!
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That is lovely. So, so lovely. Love your tips (market days, train tips, lights after dark). I would love to visit someday.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, friend!
Emily
I enjoyed this trip! I am especially interested in French cathedrals! My husband's Tante louise was an American Doctor in Reims during WW I and was give a facsimile of one of the windows of the cathedral! One day we hope to visit the great cathedrals of France! Thank you for the introduction to Chartres!
It's official, I 'm definitely visiting Chartres, it seems such a LOVELY place! Thanks so much for sharing…
Hello Sandy,
You picked one of my favorite places to visit. Chartres Cathedral is a beautiful place and having a tour by Malcom Miller is a treat. He is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable that it makes the tour extra special.
I hope that you have a wonderful weekend, Elizabeth
SO SO BEAUTIFUL !!! I love the old Cathedral.In New Orleans we have the old St. Louis Cathedral.I loved visiting here.Thank you so much.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
Marie Antionette
YIKES! I THOUGHT I CAME HERE THIS MORNING TOO! I have been so busy visiting everyone – Oh Sandy, thank you for participating! Your photos are thrilling! So many images here that I have never seen in my travels to France! Chartres is a special place, and that café on the water….sublime!!!!
Enjoy your tour and thank you for coming to visit. Isn't this fun? Anita
Oh how your post on Chartres has brought back so many memories of my visit there. Your photos are beautiful and capture the charm of this small town. The cathedral is amazing, we spent hours touring it. This is my husbands favorite cathedral in all of France. He will love your photos and post. I am following, I don’t want to miss anything you post!
~Emily
The French Hutch
Sandy, what a lovely post on Chartres for Anita's Paris Party! It is a magnificent cathedral and I loved all your photos. You have a wonderful blog and I am now following you as well.
Isn't it fun to meet everyone via Anita? She brings so many of us with varied interests under one roof.
Such fun!
Hey Sandy, very pleased to discover your blog by way of the the utterly fabulous Anita! I have had Chartres on my radar for some time, it looks wonderful.
Happy weekend.
Paul:)
It is so fun together …..welcome in France darling…….love your post !!!…i am glad i met you here…..have a nice weekend….bisous Ria…xxx…
Chatres is amazing! Thank you for the beauty here today!!!
~ Violet
The stained glass windows are just beautiful, and I love the charming outdoor cafes. Lovely images here today.
It's so nice to meet new friends.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
That was a delightful visit, thank you! Wonderful pictures. There's simply nothing like Europe for everyday beauty, sigh! Thank you for visiting me…
Sandy how wonderful to introduce us to Chartres! I must see the cathedral on my lifetime! All images are gorgeous!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I enjoyed this trip and I am already in love with Chatres! Thank you for the detailed information, it seems really easy to get there from Paris. I appreciate your nice words on my blog! Have a lovely weekend! (I am coming back on Monday:)
Gosh Sandy, that is a most enchanted place. I'll be sure to visit next time I'm somewhere close. 🙂
So nice to meet you, dear Sandy! Thank you so much for visiting me, and for following..you are very kind.
I am following you as well, and I thank you for the wonderful memories you have brought back…
Chartres is magnificent, and I, too, was fortunate to have Mr. Miller guide our group..what an amazing gentleman.
The town is so picturesque…you photos are wonderful.
What a surprise to find out about the lights…I had no idea…wow! 🙂 Like you, I meticulously plan every trip…isn't it thrilling? 🙂
Enjoy la fete, merci a vous et a chere Anita!
xoxo,
– Irina
A unique experience, thanks for such detailed pictures and information. It is a pleasure to visit you!
regards
Luisa
http://personallyselected.blogspot.com.es/
I love France, and your photos are stunning. New follower!!
What a wonderful and fun trip. I have visited Chartres once only and it was a truly magnificent town to visit especially the Cathedral. Then we also stopped by Rheims for the Champagne tasting! Lovely pictures.
Bonjour Sandy. A lovely trip to Chartres, merci. My favorite photo is the cute square with the colorful chairs! Thank you for visiting me today, and for becoming a "Follower" of French Girl in Seattle. I will be delighted to follow your blog as well. A bientôt. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Thanks for this informative post. I've been to Chartres, but it was many years ago. Your photos make me long for a return visit.
oooh la la…
lovely, lovely, lovely
and fun…xoxo
So beautiful..makes me wish I had a trip planned to go NOW. Never been but sure would love to include it in a future trip to the magical world of France..have a great weekend.
Thank you for such a lovely virtual walk through Chartres.
I retire in less than 3 weeks and France is on our list of destinations. I love Paris, but this time I want to spend time visiting other wonderful towns.
I look forward to all your ideas for day trips.
Hello Sandy~I'm enjoying meeting wonderful new bloggers in this link party-like you. Your images are gorgeous in this post. Though I've been to France several times I have never done this day trip. I'll definitely put it on my list.
love the inspiration.
Merci!
Heather
http://www.stylemindchic.blogspot.com
So informative. Enjoyed learning about and viewing this magnificent cathedral. I long to return to France again. Your photos make that longing more intense.
A lovely virtual visit to Chartres. The markets, the flowers. What's not to love? We so enjoyed our visit to France. I hope to visit again soo. I am visiting from Anita's party…..Linda
Sandy,
Chartres looks like a storybook village….straight out of a fairy tale. The cathedral looks similar to Notre Dame…same era I believe. I love how it is lit up at night….that would definitely be worth staying to see. I'll bookmark this for my next trip to Paris.
Looking forward to all of your other day trip ideas!!!
xoxo Elizabeth
Chartres does indeed look magnificent. I must add it to my bucket list. Thanks for the tour!
Di
X
Chartes is fabulous! What a wonderful trip. I am so glad I came along. Anita's party makes me want to spend a lot more time in France – so many places to go, so little time!
I've been to Chartes, and will never forget the beautiful windows. Seeing the cathedral was an incredible experience.